A fired-up Lleyton Hewitt of Australia celebrates winning his match against Igor Kunitsyn of Russia on day three of the Brisbane International. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

THE fist pump was back, so too the dogged determination, as Lleyton Hewitt kickstarted his Australian summer with a fighting first round win at the Brisbane International.

The former world No.1 displayed all the guts that has been the hallmark of his career as he overcame fellow 31-year-old, Russian world No.162 Igor Kunitsyn, 6-3 4-6 6-2 in just over two hours.

Hewitt dominated the early exchanges with complete control on serve and two service breaks to take the first set in just 38 minutes.

It was Hewitt's first match since October, but he rarely looked troubled or rusty as he appeared in cruise control to a straight sets canter.

But just one slip in concentration by Hewitt and Kunitsyn secured a break in the ninth game and then served out the set to send the match down to the wire.

However this is when Hewitt's tenacity comes to the fore and with a few stunning shots, including a wonderful stretching volley, the fired up Australian was ahead 4-1 and within sight of the finish line.

News.com.au's Privacy Policy includes important information about our collection, use and disclosure of your personal information (including to provide you with targeted content and advertising based on your online activities). It explains that if you do not provide us with information we have requested from you, we may not be able to provide you with the goods and services you require. It also explains how you can access or seek correction of your personal information, how you can complain about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles and how we will deal with a complaint of that nature.

A NOTE ABOUT RELEVANT ADVERTISING: We collect information about the content (including ads) you use across this site and use it to make both advertising and content more relevant to you on our network and other sites.